Keep fighting to protect health care reform

January 13, 2014

I consider myself very fortunate to have had access to comprehensive health coverage over my lifetime, but I haven't been without moments of fear and insecurity. Before the Affordable Care Act, the health insurance market was a place where consumers had almost no voice—illnesses or accidents could mean financial and personal ruin.

Six years ago, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. An average MS patient racks up bills of $70,000 in medical costs every year. In my own experience, it was closer to $90,000 annually. On top of my MS diagnosis, I had a child and had undergone a handful of surgeries in the past couple decades. We all know how much hospital stays and surgeries can cost.

Add that all up, and I was facing the prospect of bumping up against a lifetime cap—the arbitrary amount of money an insurance company determines it will spend on a patient's medical expenses. Once I was past my lifetime cap, I would be on my own, faced with extreme financial burdens and possible bankruptcy.

That fear and insecurity all went away with the Affordable Care Act. I—and millions of Americans like me—no longer have to worry about losing health insurance because of arbitrary lifetime caps or any pre-existing conditions.

Let me tell you, when you are fighting a chronic illness every day, the peace of mind that comes with knowing your insurance will be there when you need it is freeing.

To me, the Affordable Care Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation this nation has ever seen. Its impact is already being felt, in important ways, in every community across America. I've heard stories like mine too many times, and I'm proud that our country is moving forward to correct what was so obviously wrong.

That's why it's important to me to protect and promote health care reform. That's why I volunteer with Organizing for Action.